The history behind America's biggest holiday

On Monday, Americans gather to celebrate Independence Day, which marks an event of massive historical significance for the country. These are the origins America's biggest holiday.

What is it?

4 July is the most significant national holiday in the United States. It celebrates the Declaration of Independence, adopted on 4 July, 1776. The Thirteen Colonies of America declared themselves to be states and no longer part of the British Empire, though the revolutionary war continued for some time after.